Secretary's XI vs. Scorer's XI

In June 1977, in the middle of Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee year,
the punk movement was at its height.
Characterised by an independence bordering on rebelion,
unusual clothing choices and outrageous haircuts, it found its
greatest expression in the wedding,
25 years ago to the day, of Geoff and Sally Hales.
The intervening years have no doubt seen them bring each other a great deal
of pleasure, but their ``great partnership'' has also seen them share
much joy with their extended family: all those who've
played cricket for Remnants since its inception in 1980.
Thus what better way to celebrate their own silver wedding
anniversary than a ceremonial Remnants game between Geoff's Secretary's XI
and Sal's Scorer's XI?

The membership of the two teams was based on ``Remnants seniority'' -- not
age (although there was some of that in evidence), but how long ago
one first appeared for the club. I had hopes that this would yield two
teams dominated by the legends that populate Geoff's 1987 tome
Remnants: The First 100 Wins, and indeed a few players were
dragged kicking and screaming from what soon proved to be premature
retirements . . . but most of the two teams were
made up of current club regulars. At first this seemed a little
disappointing, but the fact that people stay with the club season
after season is really a fabulous vindication of the friendly group
atmosphere Geoff, in particular, has created.

The game itself began with Secretary's XI captain Barry Dare leading
his team out to field and handing the ball to Jim Schwabe. Jim's
first ball to Mike Sneyd was tickled to fine leg, where Les Collings
fielded with aplomb, hurling the ball straight back to 'keeper Geoff
Hales. An appropriate start involving four players who, I believe, were
all Remnants in 1980.
Jim (1/22) troubled the batsmen with his left-arm off-breaks,
and Les Collings (0/22) was dead unlucky to have all those LBW appeals
turned down, but the Scorer's XI got away to a pretty smooth start
courtesy of Mike (15) and Dave Williams (32).
Coming on at first change,
Colin Anderson (1/27) and Pete Young (also 1/27)
were unable to prevent
the Scorer's XI accelerating their scoring rate,
mainly due to Tony Malik, who whacked a number of crisp drives and pulls
on the way to a deserved 53*.
However the best entertainment of the innings was provided by
the final over, which
saw Phil Watson (1/10) play out a duel with Steve Attmore (8),
Tony and Dave Green
(who had the last laugh with an eventful 3 not out).

The enthusiasm of youth: Les Collings bowling to Mike Sneyd.

Geoff Hales 'keeping for his own Secretary's XI and Tony
Malik batting for the Scorer's XI.

The Scorer's XI thus finished on 138/4, setting the Secretary's XI the
demanding task of scoring seven an over. Despite the latter team's
batting depth, most of the assembled crowd (which by now included
frightening numbers of players' children and their lightsabres) felt
that Sal's team had done enough to win the game.
Anton Garrett photographed the historic moment for posterity
and has kindly provided the
photograph
for your viewing pleasure.

This impression was only reinforced when Andy Brown's first over
in ``several years'' was a deserved wicket-maiden.
That said, most of the Secretary's XI's middle order fired, with
Phil Watson (bowled for 16 by a gleeful Paul Jordan), Jim Schwabe
(a potentially match-winning 56 that only ended when his pads fell
off whilst going for a dubious second run) and Faruk Kara (14) all
scoring at the required rate. They took the Secretary's XI to the promising
position of 84/2, from which point they collapsed to be 111/9.
This was due to a combination
of three run outs, some great catches (Dave Green at point and an
amazing reflex slips catch by Mike Sneyd, seemingly oblivious to the
encroaching darkness that saw everyone else struggle to see the ball
at all) and another dramatic bowling performance by Tony Malik (2/10,
to complete an impressive all-round performance). With just two overs to go
the win was out of the question, and so
the Secretary's XI last wicket pair of captain Barry Dare and
mascot (?) Geoff Hales decided to play for a draw. This they did with
considerable aplomb, both being clapped off the field with defiant
1 not outs to their names.

After the game we all retired to the clubhouse, where Anton and the
tennis players attacked Dave Norman's spread with considerable
enthusiasm, and we even subjected Geoff and Sal to a quick presentation
ceremony. Rob was necessarily brief (it being bad form ``to speak in
public for longer than one can make love'' apparently -- not sure what
this implies about Mr Hales) and Geoff and Sal looked suitably chuffed
at their presents of chocolates, champagne and ``G & S''-engraved glasses.
The rest of the evening was spent trying to make full use of Les's bar tab
and goading Anton into eating more of the food. But all too soon it was
time to watch the red glow of Geoff's and Sally's bike lights fade into
the distance as we headed back to our other homes for the night.